Blogfest Winner! (Finally!)

After much waiting.....here is the winner of The Blogfest 2012!

Leanne G!

She has selected Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

***Your book has been ordered and is on it's way to you!***

Blog Tour: Primal by D.A. Serra (Giveaway too!)

Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour.

It is my pleasure to feature D.A. Serra and Primal.

I hope you enjoy the interview!

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I always wrote:  as a little girl I wrote limericks and long-winded birthday cards, as a teenaged girl I wrote morose romantic heartbreak poetry (of course), and as an adult I moved toward more complicated prose.  So, while writing has always been a natural part of my life, it took me a long time to see it as a possible career; consequently, there was no specific moment when I knew I was a writer – but there was a specific moment when I committed to making a living at it.  That was when I moved to Los Angeles from New York and started working in the television industry.  I knew that if I was going to support myself I needed to be where the work was.  So, that was how I began.

How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?

Before I committed to a career as a writer, I probably had nine or ten other jobs. I wasn’t happy at any of them. I was an exceptionally hard-worker, and I cared a great deal about doing the job perfectly, but I was too sensitive, and not political enough, for an office or retail environment. 

How long does it take you to write a book?

It is widely variable and depends mostly on how good my outline is, and how intricate my theme.  I have one book I’ve been writing on-and-off for seven years, and another I finished in six months.  Since I came from the film and TV world, and there you are forced to write in stages, I am used to having a fairly good outline.  My thriller, Primal, is a bit different, because I wrote it as a speculative screenplay first.  I had a loose outline in my mind when I began the screenplay, but I was free to move around in the plot, since it wasn’t a studio assignment.  I was delighted when it sold to James Cameron.  The film rights are now with FOX and I’m grateful to them for giving me the rights to turn it into a novel.  I loved fleshing it out and going deeper.  It went quite quickly from screenplay to novel since the script functioned as an excellent outline.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I open my eyes and start writing.  I begin writing in the morning, before I’m even out of bed.  After a bit, I get up and dress – but I start while barely awake.  My husband hands me a cup of coffee in bed around 6:30 a.m., I roll over and open my computer.

Do you have a routine to get into the right frame of mind?

I need coffee while I write.  I don’t know why exactly.  For me, there is something very comforting about a hot frothy cup of coffee.  It makes me feel like musing.

How do you decide what to write about?

I am regularly bombarded by things I want to write, and most specifically by phrases that pop into my head.  It is a matter of culling and choosing for me.  Nine times out of ten, I will gravitate toward a character, or an interesting philosophical idea, before I will be captivated by a plot device.  And I am always writing several different projects at a time.  Currently, I’m working on a humorous non-fiction travel memoir, on another thriller with a young girl as the protagonist, and on a very serious novel exploring the idea of Free Will and the unconscious.  That one is in final editing, so I’m most excited about it.

What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?

Charlotte’s Web – I still feel my fingers gripping the pages of that book.

What is your favorite comfort food?

Spaghetti with butter & cheese – any day – all day – when sick, when well, no matter. 

What book, if any, do you read over and over again?

There are a number of books I pick up over and over:  Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again by David Foster Wallace, any of the hinges of history series written by Thomas Cahill.

RANDOM:

Dogs – all the way!

Coffee – see above

Dark dark dark chocolate – yum

Flowers (does someone like rocks?)

Night time is the best time – work is done and the wine is uncorked

More About the Author:  Deborah Serra was a screenwriter for twenty years and recognized by the Writer’s Guild for her long term continuous employment. She has written ten TV movies, four feature films, and numerous TV episodes including two years as a staff writer for NBC.  She worked for top producers, directors, and actors.  She has taught writing at the University of California, San Diego, Wofford College and at writers’ conferences nationwide.  Serra has now turned her attention to novels, and she was honored as a recent recipient of the prestigious Hawthornden Literary Fellowship, and as a semi-finalist for the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Award given by the Faulkner Society in New Orleans, LA.  ~~~ Deborah’s  Website.

Primal by D.A. Serra

What if the worst happens and you are not a cop, or a spy with weapons training and an iron heart? What if you're a schoolteacher - a mother? In this gritty crime thriller a family vacation takes a vicious turn when a fishing camp is invaded by four armed men. With nothing except her brains, her will, and the element of surprise on her side, Alison must kill or watch her family die. And then - things get worse.

This virtual book tour is presented by Teddy Rose at Virtual Author Book Tours.

Click HERE to see the tour schedule.

...and now for the Giveaway!

Review: Primal by D. A. Serra

Primal by D. A. Serra

Amazon Product Description:
What if the worst happens and you are not a cop, or a spy with weapons training and an iron heart? What if you're a schoolteacher - a mother? In this gritty crime thriller a family vacation takes a vicious turn when a fishing camp is invaded by four armed men. With nothing except her brains, her will, and the element of surprise on her side, Alison must kill or watch her family die. And then - things get worse.

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.


My thoughts:
     Wow! This is an edge of the seat read for certain!  I connected with the story quickly as it is set in Minnesota - where I live - and I have a son and am a teacher.  I can't express how truly thankful I am that the comparison ends there.  This is a thrillingly terrifying read.  
     The story is wonderfully written.  The pacing and language are fantastic and the plot is so well done that you can't turn the pages fast enough.  The characters are created well and I found myself connecting with them and at times feeling as if I were there with them (thank goodness I wasn't!).
     I haven't read a lot of "scary" books recently and this one makes me rethink that.  Suspenseful, intense, gripping - - - makes you wonder what you are capable of.  Well worth the read!

Blog Tour: Annabelle's Story by Leigh Michael

This virtual blog tour is presented by the author Leigh Michael.

Click HERE to go to the official tour site!

Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour!

It is my pleasure to feature Leigh Michael.

Get to Know Leigh Michael

Leigh Michael is a debut author… so you probably don’t know much about her. Let’s change that! Take a look at the 10 facts below. To learn even more, be sure to stop by Read Write Reviews on October 18, Reader Girls on October 22, and Secret Lives of Fiction Lovers on October 27. Enjoy! 

I'm allergic to Mint (spearmint is the worst).
My husband and I got married in a 1700's marketplace known as Headhouse Square Shambles.
I suffer from maskaphobia (mainly mascots).
Zoey is the name of our adorable goldendoodle.
The Trumpet of the Swan was my favorite childhood book.
I share a birthday with Nina Dobrev, Kate Middleton, and Dave Matthew.
I've been an advertising copywriter for nearly 10 years.
My favorite candy is Swedish Fish.
The fastest I've run a mile was 5 minutes, 12 seconds.
I've seen Taylor Swift in concert twice in my hometown of Philadelphia.

Do you have anything in common with Leigh? Sound off below in the comments :) 

Also, be sure to stop by Leigh Michael Books on October 31st for a Trick or Treat surprise! 

Author Bio:
Leigh Michael is an author of YA fiction. She's worked within the advertising world for nearly a decade before writing her debut series, Annabelle's Story. Leigh lives in Washington, DC with her husband and goldendoodle. Please learn more about Leigh and her works at www.LeighMichaelBooks.com.

Series summary:

Annabelle Walsh thought she had it all. She was the star of her swim team, had a loving family, a great boyfriend, and to top it off, she’d be starting at UCLA in the fall. One day, she’d be referred to as Dr. Annabelle Walsh.

She was living every girl’s dream – until her life was turned upside down. All starting with finding out that she's not just a human, but also a water spirit. Half-human, half-sprite to be exact. Although not just any sprite, Annabelle is prophesied to be the only one who can save both the sprites and mankind.

With a mix of current events, anecdotes from Greek mythology, tidbits of folklore, and Leigh’s own imagination, we join Annabelle in her journey to restore order beneath the sea. Each step of the way her mind, body, and soul are pushed to the limit begging the question, how much can one half-human, half-sprite take?


Purchase information:

Sprite (Annabelle’s Story Part One) can be purchased at:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords 

Kin (Annabelle’s Story Part Two) can be purchased at:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords

Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole ~ stay tuned for reviews of these two books later today!

Author Interview: Alyssa Rose Ivy

Welcome to The Wormhole!

Today is it my pleasure to feature: Alyssa Rose Ivy

Hi Beverly, thanks for having me!

Thanks for stopping by!

? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. It’s always been a dream of mine to write a novel, but it wasn’t until I was home with my daughter that I finished my first book.

? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer? I had a number of part time and summer jobs, but I was in school until right before I released my first book.

? How long does it take you to write a book? The process varies book to book, but it usually only takes a few months to write the first draft. It’s the editing and revising that takes me a lot longer.

? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk? I have to write to music, and the music I listen to really shapes my writing.

? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write? Usually I just need music and some caffeine.

? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters? My ideas for characters come from a variety of places. Some of my characters are inspired by people I know, and others develop from dreams. I am a very character focused writer, and they are the first part of the story I develop.

? How do you decide what you want to write about? I usually have at least 3 or 4 ideas that I want to write at all times, so I just work on the one that jumps out at me the most. It’s amazing to see how a small idea becomes a full fledged book or series sometimes.

? What books have most influenced your life? Moby Dick is my all time favorite. I love how Melville captures obsession so well. The first book that really made me want to write was The Hobbit.

? What is the first book you remember reading by yourself? The Hobbit. My father read it to me first, but I was determined to read it by myself.

? What are you reading right now? I am getting ready to start Feed by Mira Grant.

? What do you like to do when you are not writing? I love reading, spending time with my family, and being outside as much as possible.

? What is your favorite comfort food? Definitely chocolate. I can’t get enough of it.

? What do you think makes a good story? Engaging characters, a fun setting and usually at least a little bit of romance.

? Who would you consider your favorite author and why? I don’t have just one. I’m a huge Jane Austen Fan (her books never get old) and I’ve always loved Tolkien, but lately I’ve been falling in love with tons of Indie authors.

? What book, if any, do you read over and over again? Moby Dick and Pride and Prejudice to name two.

Fun random questions: 

• dogs or cats? Dogs (but I love my cat)
• Coffee or tea? Coffee
• Dark or milk chocolate? Dark
• Rocks or flowers? Flowers
• Night or day? Night
• Favorite color? Pink (but sometimes it changes).
• Crayons or markers? Crayons
• Pens or pencils? Pens 

Flight

By Alyssa Rose Ivy

The Crescent Chronicles, Book 1

Book Description:

Sometimes you just have to take flight.

A summer in New Orleans is exactly what Allie needs before starting college. Accepting her dad’s invitation to work at his hotel offers an escape from her ex-boyfriend and the chance to spend the summer with her best friend. Meeting a guy is the last thing on her mind—until she sees Levi.

Unable to resist the infuriating yet alluring Levi, Allie finds herself at the center of a supernatural society and forced to decide between following the path she has always trusted or saving a city that might just save her.

Blog Tour: Uncontrollable by SR Johannes (Review and Giveaway)

This virtual book tour is presented by the author, S.R. Johannes.

Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour!

It is my pleasure to feature SR Johannes and Uncontrollable.

S.R. Johannes is the author of award-winning and Amazon bestselling Untraceable (a teen wilderness thriller) and new tween paranormal, On The Bright Side. She has also published short novelettes as well as a teen romance anthology with 16 other authors titled, In His Eyes. Uncontrollable, the sequel to Untraceable, is scheduled for September 2012.

S.R. Johannes is a winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Awards (Young Adult category) and was also recently nominated for as Georgia Author of the Year (Young Adult category) and semifinalist in The Kindle Book Review's Best Young Adult of 2012

After earning an MBA and working in corporate America doing marketing for over 15 years, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her dog, English-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world.

Blah blah blah - BORING!

In a nutshell - I love sunsets, rainbows, butterflies, and puppies. Oh yeah and zombies.

She has "graced" us with an interview!

? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

In 2004, after I had my daughter I got an idea and started writing a picture book while she napped. 100,000 words later I realized how much I loved writing. Until then, I had always written things but never thought of it as a career.

? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?

Well, I have always been in marketing but I worked for American General Life Insurance (boring) when I graduated from UGA. I decided to get a MBA from Auburn and graduated with a job at Accenture. % years later, I took a job with a client at Bank of America. In 2006, I left BofA to freelance copywriting and write.

? How long does it take you to write a book?

My first book took a couple years. But now I outline which saves so much time. If I know my story, it’s just a matter of writing it. Now I can write a book in about 6 months (once I outline)

? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

You mean physically? I can’t type. I am a “pecker”. That does not save time. I should never have snuck by on my typing tests in high school J

? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?

I just sit down and blog. Then write. Once you get to be a mom, you take advantage of the time your kids are not around so it doesn’t take much to get me in the mood to write. I am usually itching to write and jump on it when my kids go to school.

? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?

Life. I pay attention to my surroundings all the time. I think that is the unfortunate thing with having smartphones and games and music, people check out more. There are so many stories all around us. I never have a problem with ideas. For me the problem is choosing one and writing it fast enough.

? How do you decide what you want to write about?

Whatever I keep thinking about. I am very visual so I will lie in my bed and see how an idea plays out in my head visually. Could it be a movie? If it excites me, I write it.

? What books have most influenced your life?

Pippy Longstocking made me want to write strong girl characters. Gone Wild by James Hall and Carl Hiaasen books made me realize I could do thrillers with a conservation message for teens. James Patterson taught me how to write thrillers that are pacy. My favorite book is John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley. It made me realize there are characters and stories all around us, we just have to pay attention to them.

? What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?

Laura Ingles Wilder – I used to love those House on the Prairie books.

? What are you reading right now? Endangered by Eliot Schrefer. Great book about a girl and her bonobo fighting to stay alive in the Congo. I love books that combine conservation with contemporary.

? What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Besides playing with my family and hanging out with my hubby?

Think about writing J

? What is your favorite comfort food?

Comfort? Homemade chicken soup from Las Margaritas.

? What do you think makes a good story?

Anything can be a good story if you tell it right.

? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?

John Steinbeck because I love how he uses regular people to portray real characters

? What book, if any, do you read over and over again?

I couldn’t do that. I have a short attention span so if I know what is going to happen, I won’t read it. I have too many books on my TBR list anyway.

Fun random questions: 

·                    dogs or cats? Dogs! (especially my black goldendoodle – best dog evah!)

·                    Coffee or tea? Sweet tea

·                    Dark or milk chocolate? Dark

·                    Rocks or flowers? Rocks? Who says rocks besides Mo? Flowers.

·                    Night or day? Night

·                    Favorite color? Green

·                    Crayons or markers? crayons

·                    Pens or pencils? pens

Uncontrollable by S.R. Johannes

As 16 year old Grace recovers from tragedy, her science class is chosen by Agent Sweeney at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help with research on the new "Red Wolf Reintroduction Program". 

While she’s excited about helping with the conservation of the endangered wolves, Grace knows this means being outdoors in the worst winter recorded, in a place she no longer feels comfortable. It also means working closely with Wyn (her ex) and his annoying girlfriend (Skyler), a girl whose idea of getting close to nature is picking silk plants and growing fake plants. 

After a couple of wolves show up dead, Grace almost quits. However, when a fellow project team member goes missing, Grace continues the assignment under a renewed suspicion that someone might be sabotaging the conservation program. She quietly begins to hunt for clues. 

Little does she know, she is being hunted too.

My thoughts:  
     Fantastic story!  The characters are wonderfully created and fleshed out into "real" people as the story unfolds off the pages.
     This is a wonderful addition to the series - picks up the story line and runs with it.  The plot is original and clever - keeps you on the edge of your seat.  The interactions of the characters are realistic and some will leave your heart aching.  The writing is creative and flows well, carrying the reader further and further into the story.
     This is one series you DON'T want to miss out on - I can hardly wait for the next one!

You can buy an ecopy of this book HERE.

You can enter to win a copy of Uncontrolable by S.R. Johannes by filling in the form below!

Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole!

Happy Reading!